RALEIGH (Oct. 19, 2011) – Many North Carolina families are struggling, but a new report from Families USA shows that the Affordable Care Act will be an essential tool for aiding families across the state, particularly those suffering after the Great Recession.

As last month’s report from the NC Justice Center’s Budget and Tax Center showed, North Carolina’s poverty rate has increased 22 percent since 2007. Nearly 1.6 million North Carolinians were officially in poverty in 2010, and the median household income fell by 12.3 percent during the same period. In addition, the poverty rate for children in North Carolina climbed to 24.9 percent in 2010 from 19.5 percent in 2007, and people of color were more likely to experience poverty in 2010.

The Affordable Care Act will have substantial affects on this grim economic picture as major provisions go into effect. Families USA’s report finds that after reform, families currently without health insurance in NC – including many middle and low-income families – will benefit substantially, both because of expanded Medicaid coverage and new tax credits.

This is money in the pockets of families in NC who are being battered by the economy, the report said. Families USA also notes that for families who were uninsured before reform:

Households with income under $30,000 will receive an average of $6,413 in help with the cost of health coverage

Households with income between $30,000 and $50,000 will receive an average of $3,574 in help with the cost of health coverage.

Households with income between $50,000 and $100,000 will receive an average of $2,979 in help with the cost of health coverage.